Category: PM News

Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle will have a total of 20 players for the Super Eagles’ second training session on Wednesday in Polokwane, ahead of Friday’s very crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

A total of 18 players were in the team’s The Ranch Hotel as at Tuesday night, with Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spain-based forward Jerome Akor Adams set to join the group on Wednesday. United States of America-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi is expected to land in South Africa on Thursday.

Chelle has had to tinker the team following injuries to defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and forward Cyriel Dessers, bringing in Sanusi and Crystal Palace of England’s Christantus Uche. Injury to wing-back Felix Agu had cut the squad from 23 to 22.

Russia-based former junior international Olakunle Olusegun is yet to be issued with an entry visa into South Africa, meaning Nigeria could probably prosecute the encounter with 21 players.

The Matchday 9 encounter is billed for the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa on Friday, 10th October 2025 and will kick off at 6pm South Africa time (5pm Nigeria time).

The House of Representatives will this week debate a motion seeking urgent medical intervention for the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

This is contained in a statement by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Speaker, on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, made available to newsmen in Abuja.

The decision according to Orizu followed an intervention during Tuesday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu.

Kalu has reacted to a point of order raised on the subject matter by the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Rep. Obi Aguocha.

Aguocha had raised a point of order, (order 6 rule 2 on matters of privilege) during the plenary.

He stated that he was yet to get a response to the letter he wrote to House Leadership and FG for urgent medical intervention for Nnamdi Kanu whose health is reportedly deteriorating.

The Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, urged Aguocha to step it down and present the matter properly another legislative day, as he came under the wrong House rules.

Corroborating, the Deputy Speaker while noting that the subject matter presented is important, assured the

Speaker that the motion will be presented properly before the house in the course of the week.

‘Mr Speaker, I’m also from Abia State. On the issue that is being raised by my colleague, we will present it before the house properly in the course of the week.

‘We will come properly before the house so that proper hearing will be given to it. I beg that you will give us the audience maybe tomorrow or next tomorrow,’ Kalu said.

Responding, Speaker Abbas said, ‘No problem, it’s just the procedure that I was challenging not the substance of the issue. We will be willing and ready to give you all the time to present.’

Nigerian Senator Shehu Sani has urged women not to go through their husband’s phones without consent.

Sani on his X handle, stated that going through one’s partner’s phone is an invasion of privacy and it could lead to an emotional turmoil.

Sani also claimed that not every information is worth knowing in relationships.

‘If you cannot handle some truths, don’t go searching for them in this imperfect and temporary life. Don’t search the phone of your husband without his consent. When the Devil directs you to your husband’s phone, he wants to open your eyes and shutdown your heart. Avoidable tragedies should be avoided!,’ he wrote.

This statement stirred reaction from other users who argued that transparency should be a core part of the foundation of relationships.

Dolly Parton’s sister, Freida Parton, has reacted to the news of her sister cancelling her future appearances due to her health.

Frieda, on her social media page, explained that Dolly Parton has not been feeling her best and needed prayers from her fans.

This statement stirred panic amongst fans, as they speculated that Dolly’s health was deteriorating. Frieda, however, cleared the air, stating that her post was only out of concern for her big sister.

‘I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly. She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference. She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!’ she wrote.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has renewed its partnership with the judiciary in Gombe State to intensify the fight against corruption and financial crimes.

The agreement was reached when the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) A.S.M. Adache, paid courtesy visits to the Resident Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, and the Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Halima Shamaki Mohammed.

During the visit, Justice Amina Mohammed reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening ties with the EFCC, stressing that a united front between the Commission and the judiciary would boost the nation’s anti-corruption drive.

Chief Judge Halima Mohammed, who received Adache and his team alongside Justices A.M. Yakubu and H.H. Kereng, lauded the EFCC for its efforts in sanitising Nigeria’s system.

‘The EFCC is one of the good things that has happened to this country. Without proper checks, crises would overwhelm society, but with collaboration, agencies can achieve their shared goal of ridding the system of corruption,’ she said.

Justices Yakubu and Kereng also pledged their support to the EFCC and promised continued cooperation in the dispensation of justice.

In a related development, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe State Chapter, Alhassan Muazu, also visited the EFCC zonal office, seeking closer collaboration in addressing professional misconduct among lawyers.

Responding, Adache assured the NBA and judicial stakeholders of the EFCC’s unwavering commitment to work with all relevant bodies in promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service.

A Nigerian man named Ikechukwu N. has been arrested in Argentina by INTERPOL for running several online romance scams that tricked thousands of people around the world.

According to INTERPOL’s statement on Tuesday, the arrest happened during Operation Jackal a major global operation targeting West African criminal groups involved in cyber fraud, money laundering, and other international crimes.

INTERPOL said on its official X (Twitter) account that this was Argentina’s first arrest of a suspect wanted under both a Red Notice (for fugitives) and a Silver Notice (for tracing stolen assets).

The statement read:

‘Argentine authorities have captured Nigerian national Ikechukwu N., marking the country’s first arrest of a #RedNotice fugitive who was also the subject of an INTERPOL Silver Notice.

The suspect is accused of running multiple romance scams that affected thousands of women and leading an international cybercrime network.’

The arrest was made by the Argentine Federal Police and Airport Security Police, with help from INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, Federal Intelligence Secretariat (FIS), and INTERPOL Brazil.

The Silver Notice project, started in January 2025, helps countries share information to find and recover money and assets gained from crime.

Although the number of victims and total amount of money lost have not been revealed, INTERPOL said the case is part of a larger global crackdown on West African cybercrime syndicates.

Nigeria has also been a focus of such investigations. In December 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 792 suspects, including foreigners, linked to a crypto-romance scam based in Lagos.

The group reportedly used social media and messaging apps to deceive victims with fake love and investment promises.

INTERPOL said investigations into Ikechukwu’s crimes are still ongoing, with cooperation expected between Argentina, Nigeria, and other international partners in Operation Jackal.

Meta Platforms Inc., the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to pay $32.8 million to Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission for breaking the country’s data privacy rules.

The fine, first issued in February 2025, accused Meta of using Nigerians’ data for ads without their clear permission, collecting data from people who don’t even use its platforms, failing to file required reports, and sending user data abroad without proper approval.

After months of legal battles, Meta decided to settle the case out of court.

The agreement is expected to be completed by the end of October 2025.

This move shows Meta’s willingness to follow Nigeria’s stricter data protection laws.

The Data Protection Commission has now ordered Meta to update its privacy policy, carry out local reviews of how it uses data, and always get user consent before using personal data for targeted advertising.

Experts say this case could influence how big tech companies handle user data across Africa as more countries introduce stronger privacy laws.

A commission official said the case shows how important it is for companies to respect people’s privacy and follow local data rules.

The settlement highlights Nigeria’s growing confidence in regulating global tech giants and its push for stronger control over how citizens’ digital information is used.

Contrary to speculations in the media, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) committee set up to assess the health status of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has not concluded its work

Consequently, the NMA team is seeking for for more time to complete the report, the Department of State Services (DSS)’s lawyer, Suraj Sa’ada, SAN, told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday

Sa’ada informed that the medical panel was yet to conclude its assignment.

He said the panel planned to do a thorough job and should be given adequate time.

He suggested that the committee be given another one week to enable it conclude its task.

Kanu’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, did not object to the one week adjournment sought by Sa’ada, and Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Oct. 16.

The judge had, in a ruling on Sept. 26, ordered the NMA President to among others, constitute a team of medical experts to examine Kanu and ascertain whether or not he is still fit to undergo his on going terrorism trial.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives will this week debate a motion seeking urgent medical intervention for the detained IPOB leader, according to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Speaker, on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, issued on Tuesday.

The decision according to Orizu followed an intervention during Tuesday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu.

Kalu has reacted to a point of order raised on the subject matter by the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Rep. Obi Aguocha.

Aguocha had raised a point of order, (order 6 rule 2 on matters of privilege) during the plenary.

He stated that he was yet to get a response to the letter he wrote to House Leadership and FG for urgent medical intervention for Nnamdi Kanu whose health is reportedly deteriorating.

The Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, urged Aguocha to step it down and present the matter properly another legislative day, as he came under the wrong House rules.

Corroborating, the Deputy Speaker while noting that the subject matter presented is important, assured the

Speaker that the motion will be presented properly before the house in the course of the week.

‘Mr Speaker, I’m also from Abia State. On the issue that is being raised by my colleague, we will present it before the house properly in the course of the week.

‘We will come properly before the house so that proper hearing will be given to it. I beg that you will give us the audience maybe tomorrow or next tomorrow,’ Kalu said.

Responding, Speaker Abbas said, ‘No problem, it’s just the procedure that I was challenging not the substance of the issue. We will be willing and ready to give you all the time to present.’

Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr. P has urged Nigerians to go after what they want without fear of being perceived in a certain way.

The singer on his X page, stated that wealthy people seize opportunities and stay rich. Peter then urged Nigerians to chase opportunities without shame.

Peter further explained that success lies at the other side of shame, emphasising the need to be shameless.

‘Ever seen a rich man with shame? Never. Shame keeps the broke broke. The rich don’t care how they look, chasing opportunity; they just go for it. Everything you dream of sits on the far side of shame. Be shameless and go get it. On tour at the moment shamelessly shaming my shame,’ he said.

A dramatic scene unfolded at the Lagos State High Court premises on Tuesday when a lawyer, Mr. Obinna Okereke, Principal Partner of High Refuge Attorneys, allegedly assaulted a judicial officer, Mrs Temilola Ossai, after hitting her with his vehicle.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred near the court entrance when Okereke, who was driving an champagne gold-coloured Toyota Sienna bus, reportedly struck Mrs Ossai, a staff of the Lagos State Judiciary, by the roadside.

Sources said the victim, who was on her way to the courthouse, approached the lawyer to demand an apology for the minor collision. Instead of apologizing, Okereke allegedly became aggressive, verbally insulted her, and then descended on her with several blows to the face.

The impact of the assault reportedly caused blood to gush from Mrs Ossai’s nose and mouth, prompting alarm among onlookers.

Passersby and court users quickly intervened to prevent further attack before security personnel attached to the Lagos State Judiciary arrived and arrested the lawyer at the scene.

An eyewitness who preferred anonymity said, ‘The lady only asked him to say sorry after he hit her with the car. But he suddenly flared up, shouting at her, and before we knew it, he punched her severally in the face. It was terrible – blood started coming out of her nose and mouth.’

The incident disrupted normal court activities as concerned staff and security officers gathered at the scene.

Reports indicate that the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State Judiciary has directed that a formal complaint be lodged against Mr. Okereke at the Area F Command of the Nigeria Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

As of press time, efforts to reach Mr. Okereke for his comment were unsuccessful, while Mrs Ossai was said to have received first aid treatment following the assault.

The Lagos State Judiciary has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.